Copy holder



June 28, 1955 K. ZIEGL ER copy HOLDER 2 l c FR 7 INVENTOR. KzkrfZ! AGT K. ZIEGLER COPY HOLDER June 28, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10, 1952 INVENTOR. KarfZz'egL ez' @444 5 4 AGT June 28, 1955 K. ZIEGLER 2,711,715

-' COPY HOLDER Filed May 10, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. JYarf zz gc ez' AGT June 28, 1955 Filed May 10, 1952 K. ZIEYGLER copy HOLDER 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

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K. ZIEGLER COPY HOLDER June 28, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 10, 1952 INVENTOR. Kaz'f Zzg/er AGT K. ZIEGLER 2,711,716

COPY HOLDER June 28, 1955 Filed May 10, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 AGT United States Patent COPY HOLDER Kurt Ziegler, Bellerose, N. Y.

Application May 10, 1952, Serial No. 287,193

13 Claims. (Cl. 120-32) a The present invention relates to copy holders for typewriters, and more particularly to a copy holder which moves laterally with the carriage of the typewriter.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a copy holder which is constructed and arranged to move laterally with the carriage of an associated typewriter so that the copy to be transcribed will be held above the sheet on which the typing is to be done and may be conveniently read, and to be actuated in such movements by the carriage without requiring any al' teration or reworking of the typewriter structure.

Another object is to provide a copy holder movable laterally with the carriage of an associated typewriter and including mechanism for effecting the line-by-line advance of the copy.

Still another object is to provide a copy holder movable laterally with the carriage of an associated typewriter which includes mechanism for effecting the line-by-line advance of the supported copy and having a device controlling such advance which is stationary.

A further object is to provide a copy holder movable laterally with the carriage of an associated typewriter and which is constructed to be suitable for operation with any make or width of typewriter.

A still further object is to provide a copy holder which is constructed to be operatively connected to the carriage of an associated typewriter for lateral movement with the carriage merely by locating the copy holder in an operative position and without requiring a rigid attachment to the typewriter carriage.

Still another object is to provide a copy holder having the foregoing characteristics which is collapsible or foldable so that the typewriter and associated copy holder 45 may be covered or lowered into a storage compartment in the usual way without requiring removal of the copy holder.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a copy holder of the described character which is 5:) simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and yet accommodates a single sheet, a pile of sheets or a stenographers note book from which the copy is to be made.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages 5:, of the present invention will be manifest in the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof when the description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a copy holder constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the copy holder of Fig. I, viewed in the direction of the arrows 2-2 on the latter, and partly broken away and in section;

Fig. 2a is a detail view of an element included in the copy holder of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and on an enlarged scale; 70

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 2 and on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of a stationary portion of the copy holder of Fig. l as viewed in the direction of the arrows 66 on the latter;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the details of a copy holder constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4, but for the copy holder of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a partial side elevational view of a copy holder constructed according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of a copy holder constructed according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a rear elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of the copy holder of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary detail view showing the lower edge portion of a copy holder constructed according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, it will be seen that'the copy holder, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, includes a '2 table 12 which serves to support the copy from which a transcription is to be made. The table 12 is formed with two parallel and spaced apart, laterally extending slots 14 and 16. A plate 18 is connected along one edge to the front or upper face of table 12 by hinges 20 which are positioned so that the free edge portion of plate 18 extends to the slot 16. Plate 18 is provided with lugs 22 projecting from the free edge thereof at its opposite ends and rotatably supporting a shaft 23 having spaced apart rubber, or rubber covered, rollers 24 thereon. Coil springs 26 act upon the plate 18 to urge the latter to swing in the direction toward the table 12.

The table 12 is provided with lugs 28 projecting rearwardly therefrom adjacent its opposite ends and rotatably supporting a shaft 39 which carries a continuous rubber,

,; or rubber faced, roller 32 which extends through the slot 16 and is parallel to, and normally engages, the rollers 24 along a line of contact disposed in front of the front surface of table 12. A rearwardly directed guide flange 34 extends along the lower lateral edge of slot 16 to direct the sheet copy from in back of table 12 through slot 16 and between rollers 24 and 32. Rearwardly and forwardly directed guide flanges 36 and 38 extend along the lower and upper edges, respectively, of slot 14 to direct the sheet copy from in front of table 12 through slot 14 and upwardly or downwardly in back of the table, depending on the stiffness of the sheet copy.

A rod 40, extending laterally above slot 14 and at a distance from the front of the table 12, has one end (the right hand end in Fig. 2) secured to the table at or near the adjacent edge of the latter. The rod 40 has a length shorter than the width of table 12 and is free of the table from its secured end to the opposite end thereof. Another rod 42 is secured to the table at its right hand end and extends parallel to the upper edge of the table and in spaced relation thereto. A third rod 44, disposed in back of table 12, extends laterally across the table and is fastened to the latter only at its right hand end, as viewed in Fig. 2. Rod 44 is formed with a guide 46 at its free end which projects beyond the respective side edge of table 12.

The table 12 may also be provided with a clamp 47, of conventional construction, for holding a loose sheaf of papers thereon.

In order to support table 12 for lateral movement, for example, movement corresponding to the lateral displacements of a type writer carriage, a T-shaped rail 48 is secured to the back of table 12 between slots 14 and 16, and is laterally slidable within a box channel having a longitudinally extending slot 52 through which the rail extends. The T-rail 43 is preferably provided with rollers 54 riding on the interior surfaces of channel 50 to reduce the frictional forces resisting lateral movement of the T-rail 48 and the table 12 relative to the channel 50.

The box channel 50 is supported by a pair of uprights extending from a base 56 which may be posttioned in back of a typewriter 53, partially shown in broken lines in Fig. 1. Each of the uprights extending from base 56 preferably includes at least two elongated sections 60 and 62, either or both of which may be telescopic, which are pivotally joined together by a suitable friction joint 64 of conventional construction. The section 60 is pivotally mounted on base 56 by a similar friction ioint 66, and section 62 is hingedly connected, by a friction joint 70, to a corresponding lug 68 extending from box channel 50. Thus, the uprights may be adjusted relative to base 56, and table 12 may also be adjusted relative to the supporting uprights to position the table so that it can be most conveniently viewed by the typist. Further, when not in use, the table 12 may be displaced to a position away from the typewriter, or it may be folded flat onto the typewriter Fig. l of an associated typewriter 58, table 12 is provided with ears 74 extending therefrom adjacent its opposite side edges. Each ear 74 is formed with an elongated slot 76 through which a threaded bent end portion 78 of an elongated arm 80 extends. A wing nut 82 is threaded on the bent end portion 78 to hold arm 80 in an adjusted position relative to the related ear 74. Thus, the arms 80 may be adjusted relative to table 12 to engage the carriage 72 of the associated typewriter 58 at the opposite sides thereof and, as the carriage moves laterally, it acts against one or the other of arms 80, depending upon the direction of the carriage movement, to cause lateral movement of the table relative to the channel 50 and the structure supporting the latter.

Such movement of table 12 with the carriage 72 ensures that the copy carried by the table will always be positioned above the sheet being typed to be conveniently viewed by the typist. Further, it will be apparent that the adjustability of the arms 80 and of the structure supporting table 12 permits the described copy holder to be used in association with typewriters of different makes and configurations, and that the structure providing movement of the table by the typewriter carriage does not require alteration or reworking of the typewriter structure.

When the copy to be transcribed consists of single sheets, such sheets are fed through slot 16, between rollers 24 and 32 and then through slot 14. In order to provide for such initial feeding of the copy, knobs 84 are provided on the opposite ends of shaft 30 so that roller 32 may be manually rotated. However, when the copy holder is in regular operation, it is desirable to provide for the line-by-line advance of the copy by a mechanism independent of the knobs 84 and preferably operable from a fixed location. In accordance with the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 6, such a mech anism includes a shaft 86 disposed parallel to shaft 30 and similarly rotatably carried by the lugs 28 extending from table 12. Shafts 30 and 86 carry meshing gears 88 and 90, respectively, (Fig. 4) fixed thereon so that shaft 86 is operative to drive shaft 30.

As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, shaft 86 is axially splined and has a gear 92 thereon which is axially movable along shaft 86 but non-rotatable relative to the latter. Projections 94 (Figs. 2 and 3) extend from the central portion of channel 50 and engage the opposite sides of gear 92 so that the latter is held against axial movement relative the box channel 50. Thus, when the table 12 is moved laterally by the carriage of the associated typewriter, shaft 86 moves through gear 92 and the latter retains its original position relative to channel 50.

In order to drive gear 92, a shaft 96 is journalled at its opposite ends in brackets 98 extending from channel 5i), and a gear 100 is fixed on shaft 96 in a position to mesh with gear 92. Step-by-step rotation of shaft 96 is preferably effected by a pawl and ratchet arrangement mounted within a housing 102 (Figs. 2 and 5) and including a ratchet 104 fixed on shaft 96 and a lever 166 swingable relative to shaft 96 and carrying a pawl 19% which is engageable with the toothed periphery of ratchet 104. Thus, when lever 106 is periodically oscillated, shaft 96 will be given a step-bystep rotation which is transmitted to shaft 30, carrying the sheet engaging roller 32, by the meshing gears 100 and 92, shaft 86 and the meshing gears 90 and 88. The periodic oscillation of lever 106 is preferably produced by a flexible element 110 capable of taking both tension and compression, for example, a Bowden cable, which extends from lever 196 to an operating lever 112 (Fig. 2) conveniently located for hand or foot manipulation by the typist. As shown, a spring 114 may be connected to lever 112 for returning the latter to its original position after it has been manipulated to effect a single-line advance of the sheet engaged by roller 32.

It is apparent from the above description that the lever 112, which is manipulated to produce the line by-line advance of the copy, does not participate in the lateral movement of table 12 with the typewriter carriage and is stationary so that the typist may conveniently reach it at all times.

When the transcription is made from shorthand notes contained in a stenographers note book, the latter is turned inside out so that the page bearing the notes will be exposed. With the note book in this inverted cond tion, it is inserted between the free ends of rods 40 and 42 and the guide 46 with its covers straddling table 12 and the page bearing the notes facing the typist. As the transcription of the notes on each page is completed, that page is slipped under bar or rod 42 and turned to the rear.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, a copy holder is there illustrated which is substantially similar to the one heretofore described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6, with the exception that the mechanism for effecting the stepby-step rotation of the sheet engaging roller is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the inven tion. In the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8, the sheet engaging roller 32a is mounted on a shaft 30a which is journalled in ears 28a extending from the opposite ends of table 12a, and another shaft 116 is also journalled at its end portions 116a in cars 28a and carries gears 99a meshing with gears 88a fixed on the shaft 30a, all in the same manner as the previously described parts bearing the same reference numerals.

However, the necessity of having gear 92 on shaft 86, as in Fig. 3, is eliminated by providing shaft 116, which replaces shaft 86, with ratchet teeth extending substantially from end to end of that shaft. Step-by-step rotation of the ratchet-like shaft 116 is produced by a pawl 118a pivoted on a link 11% which is in turn pivotally mounted, as at 126', on an arm 122 extending from shaft 96a. A leaf spring 119 is mounted on the link 118, as 't 119a, and bears against the pawl 11811 to urge the latter into engagement with the toothed surface of shaft 116. Shaft 96a is journalled in suitable brackets 98a extending from the channel 50a and has another arm 124 extending radially therefrom and attached to an end of a flexible element 110a.

The flexible element 110a may be reciprocated longitudinally by manipulation of a suitable operating lever (not shown), for example, by an arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 2 in connection with member 110 thereof. The arm 122 carries leaf spring members 126 and 128 at its opposite sides to bear against the link 118 for yieldably urging the latter to a position in which pawl 118a is engageable with the surface of shaft 116.

It is apparent that, as the flexible member 119a is reciprocated by the typist from a fixed location, shaft 96a will be rocked to produce back-and-forth motion of the link 118 with pawl 118a engaging the toothed periphery of ratchet shaft 116, so that the latter will be rotated step-by-step to cause similar rotation of the roller supporting shaft 30a. Since the ratchet teeth extend substantially from end to end of shaft 116, the driving connection between shaft 96a and shaft 116 will be maintained during lateral movements of the table 12a in response to similar movements of the carriage of an associated typewriter. While Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate only fragments of the structure of the copy holder, it is to be understood that the remainder thereof may be constructed in accordance with the disclosure of Figs. 1 to 6.

Referring now to Fig. 9, a copy holder is there illustrated which is constructed in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 9, those parts of the copy holder which are the same as the corresponding parts of the device in Figs. 1 to 6 are identified by the same reference numerals with the letter b appended thereto. The embodiment of Fig. 9 differs from those previously described only in the mechanism for producing the step-by-step rotation of the shaft 30b and of the sheet engaging roller 32b mounted thereon. Thus, in the embodiment of Fig. 9, a ratchet wheel 13 is fixed on one end portion of shaft 30b within a suitable housing 131 and is engaged by a pawl 132 carried by a lever or arm 134 which is swingable on shaft 30b. The flexible member 1113b is connected to the lever 134 and may be reciprocated by any suitable lever arrangement (not shown), for example, an arrangement similar to that described in connection with Fig. 2. Such reciprocation of member 110]) causes oscillation of lever 134 and consequent step-by-step rotation of ratchet wheel 130 and roller 32b.

In order to permit lateral movement of table 1212 with the typewriter carriage 72b and without interference from the roller rotating mechanism, the flexible member or Bowden cable 1111b extends from the fixed location at which it is manipulated to an upright section 6% and is secured to the latter with a suitable clamp 136. Sufficient slack is provided between the clamp 136 and the attachment of member 11% to lever 134 to accommodate the maximum movements of the table 1212 in all directions.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, wherein a copy holder constructed according to still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it will be seen that the table and the associated elements for guiding and holding the copy are the same as those previously described and are accordingly identified by the corresponding reference numerals with the letter 0 appended thereto. Further, it should be noted that the step-byttep rotation of the sheet engaging roller 320 is preferably accomplished with a pawl and ratchet assembly (not shown) of the kind described in connection with Fig. 9 and enclosed within a suitable housing 1310.

The copy holder of Figs. 10 and 11 is distinguished from the previously described embodiments by the fact that the table supporting uprights are adjustably fixed to the table and are movable laterally with the table andtypewriter carriage relative to a stationary base. The supporting structure for table 12c preferably includes a base 138 adapted to be fixedly mounted in back of a typewriter 58c and formed with an upwardly opening and laterally extending track or guideway having overlying flanges 142 extending towards each other and leaving a space between their confronting edges. Two uprights, generally indicated by the reference numeral 144, are provided and each includes two sections 146 and 148 pivotally connected by a suitable friction joint 150. Each upright section 146, at its lower end, extends into the space between flanges 142 and is provided with a carriage 152 having rollers 154 thereon to ride upon the track 140. Pivotally connected to the upper end of each upright section 148, by a suitable friction joint 156, is a bracket 158 in the form of a channel slidable on the Trail 480 secured to the back of table 120. Each bracket 158 has a set screw 160 extending into the channel to engage T-rail 48c for maintaining the brackets 1.158 in their adjusted positions on the T-rail. Thus, the distance between the uprights 144 may be adjusted and the table 120 and the uprights moved as a unit laterally relative to the base 138.

In order to provide for movement of the table 120 and uprights 144 as a unit by the carriage 72c of the associated typewriter, the upright sections 146 are formed with longitudinal slots 162 adapted to receive arms 800, similar to the arm 80 of Fig. 2a. The arms 80c are adjustably positioned to receive the typewriter carriage therebetween, and the provision for adjustment of the distance between the uprights 144 permits the device to be arranged to accommodate typewriter carriages of different widths.

Referring now to Fig. 12, a modification of the arms 80 and the manner of attachment of the arms to the copy holding table of Fig. 2 is there illustrated.

The copy holding table 12d of Fig. 12 is supported in a manner substantially the same as the table 12 of Figs. 1 to 6, and is provided adjacent its lower edge with laterally extending slots 162 which may be separated at the middle of the table by a bridge, as shown, to increase the rigidity of the lower portion of the table. The arm assemblies carried by the table for receiving the typewriter carriage therebetween are generally indicated by the numerals 80d.

Each of the arm assemblies 80d includes an L-shaped member 164 having spaced pins 166 projecting from the horizontal leg thereof and slidably received in the related slot 162. At least one of the pins 166 is threaded and a wing-nut 168 is threaded thereon to engage against the table 12d and lock the member 164 in adjusted position relative to the table. The vertical leg of member 164 extends downwardly and at its free end is hingedly connected to an arm extension 170. The hinge connection between member 164 and arm extension 170 is of conventional construction and is arranged so that the arm extension is swingable from its downwardly directed position (shown in full lines) only in the direction toward the other of the arm assemblies 80d. Thus, the arm extension 170 may be swung to a folded position (shown in broken lines) close to the bottom edge of the table 12d when such arm assemblies are not employed for connecting the copy holder table to a typewriter carnage.

With the construction shown in Fig. 12, the distance between the downwardly directed arm extensions may be adjusted or varied to accommodate different typewriter carriages therebetween.

It will be understood that in the embodiment of Fig. 12, as well as in all of the previously described embodiments. the operative association of the copy holder and the typewriter carriage requires no reworking or alteration of the latter, and the copy holder may be removed from its location in back of the typewriter without requiring the use of tools of any kind. Further, the copy holders of the several described embodiments may be conveniently folded against the associated typewriter for compact storage.

Having thus described various specific embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific structure of these embodiments, and that many changes and modifications may be made therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention which is intended to be defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A copy holder for association with a typewriter having a laterally reciprocating carriage; said copy holder comprising a paper supporting table, a stationary base, means supporting said table in an elevated position above said base and carriage, while the latter reciprocates, said means including members fixedly connected to the table, and members carried by the base, the first and second named members being slidable relative to each other in lateral directions so that said table may follow the lateral reciprocations of the typewriter carriage, and laterally spaced arms movable laterally with said table and adapted to receive the typewriter carriage therebetween so that the carriage acts against said arms to laterally reciprocate said paper supporting table.

2. A copy holder according to claim 1; further comprising means on said table for feeding, guiding and exposing the copy sheet, the last mentioned means including a sheet feeding roller rotatably mounted on said table and driving means for effecting step-by-step rotation of said feeding roller; and still further comprising stationary control means operatively connected to said driving means for actuating the latter.

3. A copy holder according to claim l; wherein said table supporting means includes two uprights extending from said base, said relatively slidable members being secured to said table and said uprights, respectively.

4. A copy holder according to claim 3; including means adjustably mounting said arms on said table.

5. A copy holder according to claim 3; wherein said relatively slidable members include an elongated channel member secured to said uprights and a rail member secured to said table and laterally slidable in said channel member.

6. A copy holder according to claim 1; wherein said table supporting means includes two uprights and means securing said uprights to said table in adjustably spaced apart relationship, said relatively slidable members being secured to said base and said uprights, respectively.

7. A copy holder according to claim 2; wherein the sheet feeding roller extends laterally, and said driving means includes a driving shaft rotatably carried by said table in parallel relationship with said feeding roller, gear means operatively connecting said driving shaft and said feeding roller, and laterally fixed means for effecting rotation of said driving shaft.

8. A copy holder according to claim 7; wherein said relatively slidable members include a channel member laterally fixed relative to said base and a rail member 1'.

secured to said table and slidable laterally in said channel member; and wherein said means for effecting rotation of said driving shaft includes a toothed member fixed on said driving shaft and movable axially relative to the latter, means extending from said channel member and engaging said toothed member at the opposite sides of the latter to prevent axial movement thereof relative to said channel member, and means on said channel member actuated by said stationary control means and engaging said toothed member for producing step-by-step rotation of the latter.

9. A copy holder according to claim 8; wherein said means engaging said toothed member for producing stepby-step rotation of the latter includes a drive transmitting shaft rotatably mounted on said channel member, a gear on said drive transmitting shaft meshing with said toothed member on the driving shaft, a ratchet wheel fixed on said drive transmitting shaft, and a lever swingably mounted on said drive transmitting shaft and carrying a pawl element engageable with the'periphery of said ratchet wheel; and wherein said control means includes a control lever rockably mounted at a fixed location, and a flexible member operatively connecting said control lever to said pawl carrying lever so that the latter will be oscillated by oscillation of said control lever to produce step-by-step rotation of said ratchet wheel.

10. A copy holder according to claim 8; wherein said means engaging said toothed member for producing stepby-step rotation of the latter includes a drive transmitting shaft rockably mounted on said channel member, first radial arm fixed on said drive transmitting shaft, an elongated finger member pivotally mounted on said first arm and having a pawl member thereon engageable with the toothed periphery of said toothed member, spring means carried by said first arm and engageable with said finger member to yieldably urge the latter to a position wherein said pawl member engages the periphery of said toothed member, and a second radial arm fixed on said drive transmitting shaft; and wherein said control means includes a control lever rockably mounted at a fixed location, and a flexible member operatively connecting said control lever to said second radial arm so that the latter will be oscillated by rocking of said control lever to produce stroking of said finger member and step-by-step rotation of said toothed member on said driving shaft.

11. A copy holder according to claim 1; further comprising a laterally extending sheet feeding roller rotatably mounted on said table, driving means for effecting stepby-step rotation of said feeding roller, and stationary control means operatively connected to said driving means for actuating the latter; wherein said driving means in cludes a ratchet wheel non-rotatably secured to said feeding roller, and a lever swingable about the axis of said ratchet wheel and carrying a pawl element engageable with the toothed periphery of said ratchet wheel; and wherein said control means includes a control lever rockably mounted at a fixed location and a flexible member operatively connecting said control lever to said pawl carrying lever so that the latter is rocked to produce step-by-step rotation of said ratchet wheel when said control lever is rocked.

12. A copy holder according to claim 11; wherein said table supporting means includes two uprights extending from said base, and said relatively slidable members includes a channel member carried by said uprights and a rail member secured to said table and slidable laterally in said channel member; and including guiding means for said flexible member secured to one of said uprights and leaving substantial slack in said flexible member between said one upright and said pawl carrying lever so that the latter and said table are free to move with the associated typewriter carriage.

13. A copy holder according to claim 11; wherein said table supporting means includes two uprights secured to said table in laterally spaced apart and adjustable relationship, and said relatively slidable members include a guide track on said base and roller carriages mounted on said uprights and running in said guide track; and includ ing guiding means for said flexible member secured to one of said uprights and leaving substantial slack in said flexible member between said control lever and said one upright so that said table and said uprights are free to move together with the associated typewriter carriage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,009,455 Utsch Nov. 21, 1911 1,160,211 Swabb Nov. 16, 1915 1,285,242 Krueger Nov. 19, 1918 1,437,841 Hart Dec. 5, 1922 1,781,552 Mathews Nov. 11, 1930 1,958,417 Caesar et a1 May 15, 1934 2,068,894 Talley Jan. 26, 1937 

